Dow Jones News Today: Dow Slides as Volatility Increases

The Dow Jones slipped 19 points as investors continue to question the timing of President Trump's planned economic policies. Speculation is growing that the U.S. economy will not see the implementation of much of Trump's agenda until 2018. The CBOE Volatility Index – widely considered the market's fear gauge – jumped over 3%.

Everyone was talking about Silicon Valley's reaction to President Donald Trump's temporary travel ban. Roughly 100 technology companies – a list that includes several of the nation's top Silicon Valley firms – have filed a joint legal brief opposing Trump's executive order.

Companies including Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL), Alphabet Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOGL), and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) filed the brief in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. The firms argue that Trump's order "inflicts significant harm on American business."

The uncertainty over President Trump's policies made it a huge day for gold stocks. The price of gold today jumped more than 1% thanks to growing concerns about geopolitics. The combination of Trump's policies and jitters over upcoming elections in France and Germany are fueling a buying frenzy. Here's why gold prices can climb even higher in 2017…

Crude oil prices were dipping again thanks to a strengthening dollar. The uptick in the greenback offset optimism over OPEC's efforts to cut excessive production. Also, news that President Trump announced new sanctions on Iran after the country tested ballistic missiles sent prices lower. The U.S. Treasury said that 13 individuals and 12 entities will not be allowed to access the U.S. financial system or engage in business with U.S. companies.

The Chinese government is gearing up for a big standoff against the United States and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Click here for the full story.

Top Stocks to Watch Today: Feb. 6, 2017

Shares of Williams Cos. (NYSE: WMB) pushed higher after federal regulators approved its $3 billion Atlantic Sunrise natural gas pipeline expansion. The project in the northeastern part of the United States has been delayed by a long review process.

In earnings news, shares of Hasbro Inc. (NYSE: HAS) surged more than 14% after the toy company crushed Q4 expectations after a record holiday shopping season. The company said it experienced very high demand for Star Wars toys, Disney princess dolls, and board games. The firm announced earnings per share (EPS) of $1.64. Analysts expected $1.27.

Meanwhile, Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) shares fell over 3% even though the company topped earnings expectations this morning. Analysts expected EPS of $1.26, and Tyson reported $1.59. However, the TSN stock price started to fall after investors found out Tyson is being investigated by the SEC for reportedly manipulating chicken prices by limiting production.

Tuesday's U.S. Economic Calendar (all times EST)

International Trade at 8:30 a.m.

Gallup US ECI at 8:30 a.m.

Redbook at 8:55 a.m.

JOLTS at 10 a.m.

Four-Week Bill Auction at 11:30 a.m.

Three-Year Note Auction at 1 p.m.

Consumer Credit at 3 p.m.

Trump's Secret Weapon Against Chinese Aggression:Hostilities in the South China Sea now seem imminent, and the Trump administration could be on the verge of its first major crisis. But thanks to a small $6 U.S. defense firm with a top-secret new technology, China is about to be taken to the woodshed. Frankly, you have to see it to believe it…

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Today's Markets

DJIA82.66(0.35%)23,675.64

NASDAQ30.18(0.45%)6,783.91

S&P0.21(0.01%)2,546.16

AAPL2.13(1.30%)166.07

MSFT1.08(1.05%)103.97

GOOGL17.76(1.73%)1,043.41

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